Austin, the capital of Texas, and Northwest Harris, a suburb of Houston, offer very distinct living experiences. Austin is renowned for its vibrant music scene, the high tech industry, and a bustling economy. Northwest Harris, on the other hand, is suburban with its strength being the industries based in Houston. This comparison will provide a comprehensive overview of the pros and cons of living or visiting these places in relation to various factors such as crime, cost of living, and more.
Austin's crime rates are slightly higher than in Northwest Harris. The difference, however, isn't stark and both cities are generally safe. As a tourist, the downtown areas in both cities are generally secure and well-patrolled. Be it Austin's 6th street or Northwest Harris's local eateries, one can feel secure in both places.
Cost of Living
The cost of living in Austin is comparatively higher than Northwest Harris. Austin's burgeoning tech scene and influx of professionals have increased the cost significantly. Northwest Harris has a decent amount of amenities at affordable prices making it attractive for families.
Income Tax
Texas has no state income tax, providing a significant advantage to residents of both Austin and Northwest Harris.
Property Tax
Property taxes vary from neighborhood to neighborhood but, generally, they are higher in Austin than in Northwest Harris.
Sales Tax
The combined city/state sales tax rate for Austin is 8.25 percent, while for Northwest Harris it is 8 percent.
Income
Type
Austin
Northwest Harris
Estimated median household income
$79,542
$91,482
Estimated per capita income
$53,937
$43,231
Cost of living index (U.S. average is 100)
96.4
102.4
If you make $50,000 in Austin, you will have to make $53,112 in Northwest Harris to maintain the same standard of living.
Geographical Conditions
Austin is nestled beside the Hill Country, offering beautiful landscapes. Northwest Harris is primarily flat and humid due to its closer proximity to the coast.
Geographical information
Type
Austin
Northwest Harris
Land area
251.5 sq. miles
437.4 sq. miles
Population density
3,833.4 people per sq. mile
1,061.5 people per sq. mile
Relative area comparison
Austin, TX Northwest Harris, TX
Education
Austin is well known for being home to the University of Texas, one of the largest and best-rated public universities in the US. On the other hand, Northwest Harris offers a high quality of education in its local public schools, making it suitable for families.
Austin sports a flourishing Tech sector and a growing economy. Meanwhile, Northwest Harris, because of its proximity to Houston, benefits from Houston's broad economic base.
Biggest Employers
Being a part of Silicon Hills, Austin's major employers include Dell, IBM, and Amazon. In Northwest Harris, the largest employers are typically from Houston including the likes of ExxonMobil and Houston Methodist Hospital.
In Austin (Travis County), 60.2% voted for Democrats and 36.2% for Republicans in 2012 Presidential Election. In Northwest Harris (Harris County), 49.4% voted for Democrats and 49.3% for Republicans.
Elections
Type
Democrats
Republicans
Other
Year
Austin
Northwest Harris
Austin
Northwest Harris
Austin
Northwest Harris
2020
71.7%
56.0%
26.5%
42.7%
1.8%
1.3%
2016
65.8%
54.0%
27.2%
41.6%
7.0%
4.4%
2012
60.2%
49.4%
36.2%
49.3%
3.6%
1.3%
2008
63.8%
50.5%
34.4%
48.9%
1.8%
0.6%
2004
56.1%
44.6%
42.1%
54.9%
1.8%
0.5%
2000
41.7%
43.0%
47.0%
54.4%
11.3%
2.6%
1996
52.4%
45.2%
40.0%
49.2%
7.7%
5.6%
Breakdown of population affiliated with a religious congregation
Type
Adherents
Congregations
Religion
Austin
Northwest Harris
Austin
Northwest Harris
CATHOLIC CHURCH
17.3%
18.1%
4.5%
3.6%
SOUTHERN BAPTIST CONVENTION
8.0%
14.2%
22.8%
26.8%
EPISCOPAL CHURCH
1.4%
1.0%
2.8%
1.4%
MUSLIM ESTIMATE
1.2%
2.9%
0.7%
1.6%
EVANGELICAL LUTHERAN CHURCH IN AMERICA
1.0%
0.3%
2.5%
1.1%
LUTHERAN CHURCH
0.9%
0.7%
2.1%
1.5%
SEVENTH DAY ADVENTIST CHURCH
0.2%
0.3%
1.0%
1.7%
Weather
Texas's climate is generally warm. Among the two, Austin is slightly warmer during summer and colder during winter. Additionally, Austin is located in Central Texas and has a humid subtropical climate while Northwest Harris, being located near the Gulf, experiences a high degree of humidity throughout the year.
Weather and climate
Type
Austin
Northwest Harris
Temperature - Average
68.5°F
68.7°F
Humidity - Average morning or afternoon humidity
75.2%
80.3%
Humidity - Differences between morning and afternoon humidity
40%
37%
Humidity - Maximum monthly morning or afternoon humidity
89%
93%
Humidity - Minimum monthly morning or afternoon humidity
49%
56%
Precipitation - Yearly average
33.7 in
48.5 in
Snowfall - Yearly average
1.4 in
0.6 in
Clouds - Number of days clear of clouds
19.3%
15%
Sunshine amount - Average
63.3%
60.4%
Sunshine amount - Differences during a year
22%
24%
Sunshine amount - Maximum monthly
72%
67%
Sunshine amount - Minimum monthly
50%
43%
Wind speed - Average
7.2 mph
8.1 mph
Average climate in Austin, Texas
Average climate in Northwest Harris, Texas
Air pollution
Type
AQI
CO
NO2
OZONE
PM25
SO2
Year
Austin
Northwest Harris
Austin
Northwest Harris
Austin
Northwest Harris
Austin
Northwest Harris
Austin
Northwest Harris
Austin
Northwest Harris
2018
76
95
N/A
N/A
4.9
5.1
26.7
23.5
8.7
8.7
0.2
N/A
2017
76
94
N/A
N/A
4.6
4.7
29.7
25.2
8.3
8.5
0.3
0.5
2016
71
93
N/A
N/A
4.2
5.7
29.5
23.7
8.2
8.5
0.2
0.4
2015
78
100
N/A
N/A
4.4
6.1
28.9
23.1
8.6
9.3
0.3
0.1
2014
74
88
N/A
0.28
5.2
6.7
28.3
22.3
8.7
9.6
0.5
0.1
2013
78
104
0.09
0.29
5.5
6.6
29.5
23.7
8.6
10.3
0.5
0.1
2012
86
107
0.13
0.30
5.5
7.1
30.1
24.8
8.6
10.6
N/A
0.2
2011
83
115
0.11
0.32
2.6
6.8
33.0
27.0
9.1
11.3
N/A
0.6
2010
77
104
0.05
0.26
3.2
7.5
29.4
25.0
8.8
11.1
N/A
0.8
2009
76
114
0.05
0.27
2.6
6.8
29.7
25.1
9.0
11.0
N/A
0.9
2008
81
104
0.12
0.35
3.2
8.0
30.7
24.5
9.7
11.9
N/A
1.4
2007
82
123
0.12
0.37
3.1
9.1
27.1
23.2
9.8
13.0
N/A
1.7
2006
89
130
0.14
0.39
3.8
9.0
31.3
25.0
10.0
11.6
0.2
1.5
2005
92
132
0.15
0.42
4.4
9.7
29.0
25.3
10.7
13.3
0.2
2.6
2004
74
125
0.16
0.44
3.3
10.0
26.8
22.9
N/A
N/A
N/A
2.8
2003
85
144
0.26
0.62
4.2
10.8
28.9
23.5
N/A
N/A
0.1
2.4
2002
83
124
0.33
0.55
3.9
10.5
27.2
22.5
N/A
N/A
N/A
1.5
2001
83
148
0.31
0.44
4.2
12.0
25.5
22.2
N/A
N/A
N/A
2.0
2000
86
133
0.28
0.50
4.7
10.8
27.8
23.0
N/A
N/A
N/A
2.1
Natural disasters
Type
Austin
Northwest Harris
Tornado activity compared to U.S. average
137.9%
179.3%
Earthquake activity compared to U.S. average
80.4%
67.9%
Natural disasters compared to U.S. average
29%
32%
Transportation
Austin has better public transportation than Northwest Harris and also favors cyclists more. However, commuting in Northwest Harris can be easier due to less traffic especially for people working in Houston.
Transport
Type
Austin
Northwest Harris
Amtrak stations
1
0
Amtrak stations nearby
1
0
FAA registered aircraft
911
0
FAA registered aircraft manufacturers and dealers
21
0
Means of transportation to work
Type
Austin
Northwest Harris
Bicycle
0.8%
0.1%
Bus
1.5%
2.5%
Carpooled
7.9%
11.3%
Car alone
85.9%
81.5%
Motorcycle
0.3%
0.1%
Taxicab
0.1%
0%
Walked
2%
0.8%
Average travel time to work
Type
Austin
Northwest Harris
Average
29.9 min
31.3 min
Real Estate
The real estate market in Austin has grown exponentially in recent years. Meanwhile, Northwest Harris offers well-priced homes and the cost of real estate is much lower than in Austin.
Neighborhoods
Austin neighborhoods have an eclectic mix that ranges from high energy downtown to peaceful lakeside communities. Northwest Harris is more residential, offering quiet suburban settings.
Houses and residents
Type
Austin
Northwest Harris
Houses
469,156
149,181
Average household size (people)
2.4
2.9
Houses occupied
449,399 (95.8%)
141,708 (95%)
Houses occupied by owners
196,458 (43.7%)
100,076 (70.6%)
Houses occupied by renters
252,941 (56.3%)
41,632 (29.4%)
Median rent asked for vacant for-rent units
$1,286
$1,182
Median price asked for vacant for-sale houses and condos
$549,769
$300,799
Estimated median house or condo value
$482,900
$307,883
Median number of rooms in apartments
3.4
3.8
Median number of rooms in houses and condos
6
7.5
Renting percentage
54.9%
28.6%
Housing density (houses/condos per square mile)
1,865.3
341.1
Household income disparities
44.8%
38.3%
Housing units without a mortgage
1,799 (1.3%)
15,158 (16.5%)
Housing units with both a second mortgage and home equity loan
6,421 (4.8%)
105 (0.1%)
Housing units with a mortgage
132,628 (98.7%)
76,541 (83.5%)
Housing units with a home equity loan
206 (0.2%)
3,826 (4.2%)
Housing units with a second mortgage
8,515 (6.3%)
4,244 (4.6%)
Housing units lacking complete kitchen facilities
0.9%
0.3%
Housing units lacking complete plumbing facilities
Self-employed workers in own not incorporated business
38,777
12,608
State government workers
46,229
7,312
Unpaid family workers
102
552
Industries and Occupations
Austin particularly exudes success in tech, film, music, and education. Conversely, Northwest Harris, has industries spread out over different sectors due to its suburbs nature with Houston's industries being a significant source of employment.
Austin and Northwest Harris offer good healthcare facilities. Austin has more hospitals, while Northwest Harris residents usually depend on the larger medical centers in Houston.
Health (county statistics)
Type
Austin
Northwest Harris
General health status score of residents in this county from 1 (poor) to 5 (excellent)
Austin prides itself on its well-planned mixture of old and modern infrastructures that cater to its diverse population. Northwest Harris also maintains good facilities for its residents.
Infrastructure
Type
Austin
Northwest Harris
TV stations
20
27
Culture and Food
Austin boasts a rich social and cultural scene known for live music, art, and diverse food. Northwest Harris, while not as culturally vibrant as Austin, still offers diverse cuisine typical of a Texas suburb.
Sports Teams
Austin recently got its own Major League Soccer team. However, being near Houston, Northwest Harris residents have access to many major league sports teams like the Houston Astros, Rockets, and the Texans.
Austin, TX
Northwest Harris, TX
Austin, TX and 
Northwest Harris, TX : 131.9 miles
